Worst Floods in American History

Floods, among the most terrifying forces on Earth, have led to countless disasters throughout history. The story of a catastrophic flood — a metaphor for a cleansing of humanity’s sins — appears in many cultures, from ancient Mesopotamia to China, to Maya peoples and aboriginal tribes in Australia.

Flooding killed 116 people in the United States last year, the most lethal type of weather event in the nation. Floods also are responsible for about $6 billion in damage annually in this country, according to National Geographic.

Much of the severe flooding in America has occurred around the Mississippi River and in Texas, as well as along the Gulf Coast and Florida, because those areas are vulnerable to hurricanes.

Floods have shaped the history of our nation, wiping out some communities forever, and forcing others to start a new life in another part of the country.

In June, the Weather Network forecast normal or above normal rainfall east of the Mississippi River and in the southwest this summer. With that prediction, and with it fears of disastrous flooding that accompany hurricane season, 24/7 Wall St. has created a list of the 30 worst floods in our nation’s history. We used data compiled by government agencies, including the National Weather Service, and consulted sources such as media accounts of historical weather events to develop this list.